Reactive sulfur species: aqueous chemistry of sulfenyl thiocyanates
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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

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Published on: April 11, 2014
Michael T Ashby1, Halikhedkar Aneetha
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, 620 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
Abstract:
Sulfenyl thiocyanate (RSSCN) derivatives of penicillamine (PENSCN) and glutathione (GSSCN) have been synthesized in situ at pH = 0 from equilibrium mixtures that consists of hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN), thiocyanogen ((SCN)2), and trithiocyanate ((SCN)3-). The electrophilic thiocyanating agent N-thiocyanatosuccinimide (NTS) also reacts with PEN and GSH to yield the corresponding RSSCN derivatives. PENSCN and GSSCN were characterized by NMR, ES-MS, and IR spectroscopy. While stable at pH = 0, at higher pH the RSSCN derivatives decompose to give products that are consistent with hydrolysis and formation of reactive sulfenic acids.
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